Shade of Shadow- Other Side Trilogy

Chapter Eight- Nathanial

Chapter Eight- Nathanial

Nathanial lead the way out of; community Whitehorse and his sister Laney decided to join us on our quest for the color.

I did not know much about Nathanial, only that he was a few years older than me, chose me for his mate, and was born and raised in community Whitehorse.

Something I found hard to contemplate though; if Nathanial’s community followed the rules set forth by the Shadow Master hard-core, than why was Nathanial not burned in sacrifice to the other side, on his eighteenth birthday?  Laney was surely younger than me.

“Do you know where you are going?” Michael asked Nathanial.

“I know to follow what is left of the Klondike Hwy closest to the forest just outside the community.  We need to stay off to the tree covered area, as to keep ourselves out of visual sight.” 

“How does this so called Hwy you want to make us all follow, have anything to do with Alaska?” Michael asked.

“Because it leads to what the elders in my community call the number one, which in past terms was called the Alaska Hwy.”

“Wow Nathanial, without you I do not know what Michael and I would have done,” I replied while limping.

“I am sure Michael would have leaded you in the right direction Amanda, he is very smart.”

“I know,” I smiled, and then looked at Michael who was walking closer towards Laney.

“Can we stop for something to drink Nathanial?  I am getting rather thirsty,” Laney asked.

“Sure thing sister,” Nathanial smiled.

I wondered what it would feel like to have a relationship with a sibling again?  I mean losing my sister when I was younger was very traumatizing, but what if I never lost her?  What if she could still exist outside of the plague?

“I often wonder Amanda what is running through that head of yours?” Nathanial asked.

“Nothing really,” I replied, trying to hold in my embarrassment.

“You know as my mate, you are obligated not to lie to me?”

“Nathanial I could not tell you what any of my obligations are, because I do not know anything about being a mate.  Where I come from, people fall in love naturally, and choose their life partner based on the same goals, and wants out of life.”

“Really?”

“Yes, why does that shock you?”

“Because it is not the way of my people that’s all,” Nathanial replied.

“Your community and Michael’s community are very much alike, accept for a few differences.”

“And what differences would those be?”

            “Well the first one is obvious.  You are past the age of eighteen, and yet you were not sacrificed, why is that?”

Nathanial’s eyes widened again, and then as he touched his eyes softly on Laney’s he looked back towards me.  “Well you see Amanda; I am not the oldest child.  Laney and I had another brother who died at birth; therefore my parents did not need to sacrifice their first born son, because he was taken at birth by the Gods.”

“I am so sorry Nathanial; I would have never thought such a thing could happen.  I have never heard of a sibling dying at birth.”

“My brother was born pre-mature.”